Introduction to Human Rights

and the Environment

Course Syllabus
 Syllabus | Introduction to Human Rights and the Environment

Course Goal and Outline

The Introduction to Human Rights and the Environment course covers the relationship between
human rights and the environment; explains the bases for the application of human rights to
environmental issues, and the procedural and substantive obligations relating to the environment;
and gives examples of constitutions that have incorporated a right to a healthy environment,
good practices in procedural and substantive environmental protection.

Modules

1. “The Relationship Between Human

Rights and the Environment”

2. “Human Rights Norms relating to

the Protection of the Environment”

3. “Implementation of a Human Rights Approach

to Environmental Protection”

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 Syllabus | Introduction to Human Rights and the Environment

Content, Learning Objectives and Assessments

Modules Content Learning Objectives Assessment

Lesson 1.1 - Protecting the Environment using a Human
Rights Approach
The Relationship
Lesson 1.2 – Legal and Institutional Framework: Human
Between Human Rights and the Environment - The UN Human Rights System
and Other International Recognition of Human Rights and
Rights and the
Environment Linkages
Environment
Lesson 1.3 – Legal and Institutional Framework: Human
Rights and the Environment - The Regional Human Rights
System and Institutional Framework
Explain how environmental harm can interfere with the
enjoyment of human rights.
Determine how the exercise of human rights can help
- Quiz
promote environmental protection.
Present an overview of the major international
and regional human rights instruments, cases, and
institutional frameworks.

Describe the procedural and substantive human rights

Lesson 2.1 - Procedural Obligations Relating to the
obligations relating to the protection of the environment.
Environment
Human Rights
Identify international human rights tribunals and other
Norms relating to Lesson 2.2 – Substantive Obligations Relating to the human rights bodies and actors that play a role in the
the Protection of Environment protection of the environment. - Quiz
the Environment Identify the human rights obligations relating to the
Lesson 2.3 – Obligations relating to the Marginalized and
protection of vulnerable groups from environmental
those in Vulnerable Situations
harm.

Identify, analyze and compare good examples of national

Implementation Lesson 3.1 - Constitutional Rights to a Healthy Environment laws and public policies for the protection of the
of a Human Lesson 3.2 – Good Practices in Procedural and Substantive
environment under a human rights approach.

Rights Approach Environmental Protection

Determine the elements that make these good examples - Quiz
to Environmental Lesson 3.3 – Good Practices in the Protection of those successful practices.
Vulnerable to Environmental Harm
Protection
Review good examples of national public policy that
would contribute to the protection of the environment.
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 Syllabus | Introduction to Human Rights and the Environment

Learning Material
The course is designed in a way that gives you flexibility to plan your learning process. The
interactive lessons , quizzes can be accessed throughout the course. The lessons are all open
from the begining of the course for you. You need about 3 hours to complete the course.
Assessment’s scores can be consulted throughout the course.

Lessons introduce you to the concepts of each lesson, including

practical interactive exercises that give you an opportunity to
check the acquired knowledge and that will help you to prepare
and pass the assessments at the end of the lesson.

Lessons • Each lesson has about 20/30 slides, including some

interactions and questions.
• You may interrupt a lesson at any point. The system keeps
track of your position. Upon your return it automatically takes
you to the point where you have previously stopped.

The pdf lessons have additional information.This can come

handy in case of connection issues.
PDF Lessons

• Quizzes evaluate your understanding of the concepts of the

Introduction of Human Rights and the Environment course.
You will have to take one quiz in each module.

• You may do the assessments any time during the course,plan

Quizzes your time accordingly.

We also invite you to give your feedback about the course in

the brief “Give us your feedback” per lesson. Kindly complete
the questionnaire at the end of each lesson,providing us with
feedback on your learning experience. Your opinion and inputs
are highly valued and they will help us to improve the quality of
Evaluation the course!

It provides you with additional resources such as links and pdf

documents related to the module that will help you to renforce
your knowlege.
Additional
Resources

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 Syllabus | Introduction to Human Rights and the Environment
Assessment
Measuring your learning
Your performance in the Introduction
of Human Rights and the Environment
course will be measured on the
interactive lessons and answering
quizzes .
The course has an interactive lesson
followed by a quiz: first you take the
lesson then you answer the quiz.
The quiz will determine your
understanding of the concepts covered
(declarative knowledge).
Grading Scheme
•The whole course is graded on 30
points.
•Each module corresponds to 10
points.
•The minimum required to pass a
module is 6 points.
Marking
1. Quizzes
• show immediately the correct answer
after each attempt (up to 2 ).
• After each attempt you can check
your scores in the “Gradebook”.
• The highest score will be retained as
your final grade.
• The right answer appear after
submitting your answers
Completion Requirement
To receive the Certificate of the
Introduction of Human Rights and
the Environment course you need to
achieve a minimum grade of 60% per
module.
• It is compulsory to take the quizzes
of the 3 modules.
• Marks are shown in the Gradebook as
soon as you complete each quiz.
• Participants who pass 3 modules and
achieve at least 60 % are entitled to
the Certificate of participation.
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 Syllabus | Introduction to Human Rights and the Environment

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What’s the maximum score for the 6. How many modules do I need to pass to
course? What’s the weight of each obtain the Certificate of participation?
module? You need to pass all the quizzes with a
The maximum score is 30 points. Each minimum of 60 % per module.
module corresponds to 10 points. (Quiz =
10 points;). 7. Can I still get the Certificate of
Participation in case I am not able to pass
2. How many points do I need to pass a the 3 modules and in case my average
module? grade below 6 points?
The minimum score required to pass No. The Certificate is issued only to
is 6 points. participants who obtains at least 6 points
in each quiz.
3. How can I get to 6 points?
Each module has one assessment; which is
equivalent to 10 points. You need to take
the quiz in each module. Your grade for
the module will be the sum of the results
of the quiz, which can go to maximum of
10 points.

4. When will the grades for the

assessments will be available?
The marks for the quizzes are available
right after you complete them.The correct
answers of the quiz will be displayed right
after finishing the quiz.

5. Where can I see my grades?

You have a personal Gradebook where
your marks are registered. It is accessible
on the course’s front page. In case you
cannot see it please, consult the User
Guide.